I thank you, O God, for giving me a body
which is specially fit and strong, and for
making me able to use it well.
In my training, help me never to shirk the
discipline which I know that I need and that I
ought to accept.
In my leisure and in my pleasure, help me
never to allow myself any indulgence which
would make me less fit than I ought to be.
When I compete with others, help me, win or lose,
to play fair. When I win, keep me from
boasting. When I lose, keep me from making excuses.
And help me always with good will to congratulate a
better player who beat me.
Help me so to live that I will always have a healthy
body and a healthy mind
This I ask for your love=s
sake.
Amen
(Source: Unknown)

It was right before the big one and the football player said,
AExcuse me guys for
just a sec while I bow my head.@
And in the quiet of that room
The football player prayed,
AOh God if nothing
hear me now
I know that fate is made.@ASo help us Lord to
win this game,
It=s the big one,
man, you see,
If we lose this game that=s
it for us,
Please do this, Lord, for me.@
And as his body knelt in prayer,
He looked up to the sky,
AAnd while I=m here, and have some time,
I need to ask you why?@AThey say you never
help teams win,
Just do it once I pray,
We will pay you back in kinder deeds
Or in another way.@AThe reason I can=t help you win,@
The Lord just replied,
AIs as your asking
me to win
So is the other side.@AI=m everybody=s father and
I must not take one side,
So games are played all on your own
Or they would all be tied.@ABut that doesn=t mean you shouldn=t pray,@
He answered him with care,
AYou can pray that
players don=t get hurt
And that all the calls are fair.@AAnd then I won=t just watch the game,
I=ll bless it with
my care,
Because dear son you need to learn
That life=s not
always fair.@AAnd while the
player heard this voice,
He bowed his head in prayer,
AI pray for
fairness,@ said the boy
AAnd for your tender
care.@AYou shall be
blessed,@ the Lord
replied,
AYour team and you
the same,
And now will you excuse me boy,
I cannot miss this game.@
(Author: Sandy Dow Mapula)

Lord Jesus,
We welcome your presence here among us and your spirit of
love alive in our community of St. Joseph=s High School. Today
we gather to represent our school. Share with us your spirit
of peace and love for one another. Bless us with a team spirit of
good will, both for ourselves and the team we will face in
the game.
Help us to be the best we can possibly be, to strive not so
much to win, as to play fairly and well. Draw us close
together as a team and a group of friends who reflect your spirit of love.
We ask this in your name Lord Jesus.
Amen
(Source: Unknown)

Heavenly Father, We thank you for this fine season day,
For these two school teams,
For the chance to study, to understand better the world around
us,
For the health to be here,
For the thrill of a sporting contest,
For individuals learning to play as a team,
For physical bodies in robust health,
For minds honed by practice to peaks of excellence.
Our Father, we thank you!
Grant that we not take days like this for granted.
Give now each team the grace to play their best,
To be a good sport,
And to realize that win, lose or tie,
We all come away winners in creation.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus, the Christ.
Amen.

God, please watch over us in this athletic competition.
As we use these gifts that You bestowed upon us,
To the best of our individual abilities.
Help us to remember that through Your Grace and Wisdom,
Our Guardian Angel remains watchful.
Just as the shepherd keeps vigil over his flock.
Amen.